JP2009039163A - Game apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce costs for position detection of a model body in a game device wherein the plurality of model bodies travel, to improve the accuracy of the position detection and to shorten the time required for the position detection. <P>SOLUTION: A game apparatus includes a first traveling surface 4, a second traveling surface 7 below it and a plurality of traveling bodies 40 with a photographing means 46 that travel on a traveling path 8 on the second traveling surface 7, and a game is advanced when the plurality of model bodies 30 travel on the first traveling surface 4 following the respective traveling bodies 40. In the game device, on an information arranging surface which extends in a direction parallel to the second traveling surface 7 and can be photographed from the photographing means 46, two-dimensional codes arrayed in such a size and an array that at least one two-dimensional code is included at any time within the viewing angle of the photographing means 46 provided in the traveling body 30 arranged at an optional position on the traveling path, and a position detection means 61 for detecting the position of the traveling body 40 on the basis of position information recorded in the two-dimensional code photographed by the photographing means 46 are provided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a game apparatus in which a plurality of model bodies run on a predetermined running surface.

  In Patent Document 1, a plurality of model bodies can run on a predetermined track while changing the course of travel to some extent, so that the model bodies compete with each other for an advantageous course taking on the shortest travel distance. A game device is disclosed that can run a model body with higher force or higher reality, such as being densely packed.

  In a game apparatus in which a plurality of model bodies as described above are crowded or run against each other, the model bodies are prevented from overturning due to contact between the model bodies, or the model bodies are securely placed in a predetermined order. In order to achieve a goal-in, etc., it is necessary to be able to accurately grasp and control the running position of the model body in real time.

  In this regard, in the game device disclosed in Patent Document 1, each model body on the track is pulled by a plurality of traveling bodies traveling on a traveling surface installed below the track, and orthogonal to the lower portion of the traveling surface. When extending a coil matrix consisting of a number of lines extending in two directions (X direction and Y direction) and connected to a comparison circuit through switches, respectively, and exciting the oscillation coil mounted on each traveling body The position of the traveling body is detected by a dielectric current generated in the coil matrix.

  However, in the above method, it is necessary to increase the area of the coil matrix and the number of switches as the area of the running surface increases, and there is a problem that the cost of position detection becomes excessive when the game apparatus is enlarged. .

  In addition, in the above method, the line spacing of the coil matrix becomes the limit of position detection accuracy, so the number of lines has to be increased to improve the position detection accuracy, but the number of lines has to be increased in consideration of the installation cost. There is a limit to the increase, and when the number of tracks increases, the time required to detect the position of each traveling body becomes longer, which makes it difficult to detect the position in real time.

Therefore, in the game device of Patent Document 1, it is difficult to increase the size of the device, or it is difficult to realize a game device that runs at a high speed while intensely competing in a manner in which a plurality of model bodies are more densely packed. There was a problem that there was.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-216355

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and achieves one or more of the following objects.

  That is, an object of the present invention is to reduce the cost for detecting the position of a model body in a game device in which a plurality of model bodies run, increase the accuracy of position detection, and / or shorten the time required for position detection. It is in.

  It is another object of the present invention to provide a powerful game device that travels while densely colliding with each other for aiming for an advantageous course taking by a plurality of model bodies or competing with each other.

  Still another object of the present invention is to increase the number of model bodies and / or increase the running speed of the model bodies in a game device that travels while a plurality of model bodies are densely or competing with each other. There is.

The present invention solves the above problems,
A first running surface;
A second traveling surface located below the first traveling surface;
A plurality of traveling bodies that travel on the traveling road in the second traveling surface, each of which includes an imaging unit for capturing an image;
And a plurality of model bodies that follow the respective traveling bodies and travel on the first traveling surface, and the game progresses when the plurality of model bodies travel on the first traveling surface. And
A plurality of two-dimensional codes for recording positional information in the second traveling surface, extending in a direction parallel to the second traveling surface, and disposed in an information arrangement surface capable of photographing from the photographing means Two-dimensional code,
Position detecting means for detecting the position of the traveling body based on the position information recorded in the two-dimensional code photographed by the photographing means;
The two-dimensional code is always arranged with a size and an arrangement in which one or more of the two-dimensional codes are included within the angle of view of the photographing unit, regardless of the position of the traveling body on the road. (1).

  In the information arrangement surface of the present invention, since the two-dimensional code is arranged with a size and an arrangement in which one or more two-dimensional codes are always included within the angle of view of the photographing means included in each traveling body, at an arbitrary timing It is possible to acquire position information from a two-dimensional code included in the photographed image. Accordingly, the position of the traveling body can be detected in a shorter time cycle or continuously, and the traveling of the traveling body can be controlled with higher accuracy.

  Further, in the present invention, when the game apparatus becomes larger and the runway length or runway area becomes larger, it is necessary to increase the size of the information arrangement surface accordingly. It can be formed by an inexpensive method, and the accuracy and time required for position detection by photographing a two-dimensional code are not affected by the size of the information mounting surface. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily cope with an increase in the size of a game device without a significant increase in cost and without a decrease in position detection accuracy or an increase in time required for position detection. Is possible.

  In the game device according to the present invention, the game progresses when the model body travels on the first traveling surface. Therefore, the information arrangement surface is visually recognized from the outside (from a player positioned at a gaming position such as a satellite). In this case, since it is not necessary to consider the influence on the design and appearance of the game apparatus by arranging the two-dimensional code, it is possible to use 2 cheap visible ink. It is possible to form a dimension code. Accordingly, the cost associated with the formation of the two-dimensional code is reduced, the maintenance such as inspection and repair of the two-dimensional code is facilitated, and / or the cost associated with the photographing means is compared with the case where the photographing means for infrared rays is used. Can be reduced.

  The position detection means in the present invention is configured to detect the position of the traveling body based on the position and angle of the two-dimensional code in the photographed image photographed by the photographing means and the position information recorded in the two-dimensional code. It is preferable to detect (Claim 2).

  That is, when the position of the traveling body is detected based only on the information recorded in the two-dimensional code, the arrangement density of the two-dimensional code becomes the limit of position detection accuracy. In this regard, in the present invention, since the arrangement of the two-dimensional code is easy, the arrangement density of the two-dimensional code is increased without causing a significant cost increase or increasing the time required for position detection and the processing load. Although it is possible, there is a limit to increasing the density of the two-dimensional code because of the resolution required for decoding to obtain position information, etc. Can not.

  In this regard, according to the second aspect of the present invention, as long as one or more QR codes are included in an image photographed by the photographing means, the position can be determined with extremely high accuracy irrespective of the arrangement density of the two-dimensional codes. Detection can be performed.

  The position detecting means of the present invention can also derive the angle (traveling direction) of the traveling body based on the angle of the QR code in the image photographed by the photographing means. It becomes possible to further improve the traveling controllability of the traveling body.

  Each of the traveling bodies in the present invention includes the position detecting means and a drive control means for controlling the traveling of the traveling body based on the position of the traveling body detected by the position detecting means. ) Is preferred.

  According to this invention, the traveling body can perform autonomous traveling control based on its own position information detected by itself, and the traveling body travels based on control from a control device separated from the traveling body. Compared with the case where the control is performed, it is possible to reduce the processing time and processing load related to transmission / reception of position information and control signals.

  The traveling body according to the present invention preferably further includes an illuminating means for illuminating the angle of view of the photographing means (Claim 4), whereby the photographing of the two-dimensional code by the photographing means is more stable. It becomes possible to do in. In the present invention, it is possible to further stabilize the imaging conditions of the two-dimensional code by the imaging means by configuring so that external light does not enter the information arrangement surface.

  In the present invention, the two-dimensional code has the size and arrangement in which the two or more two-dimensional codes are always included in the angle of view of the photographing unit regardless of the position of the traveling body on the running path. And when the position detection unit fails to detect the position of the traveling body based on one of the two-dimensional codes in the captured image captured by the imaging unit, the position detection unit It is preferable to detect the position of the traveling body based on the other two-dimensional code.

  According to this invention, even if position detection based on any two-dimensional code in the image photographed by the photographing means is unsuccessful due to, for example, foreign matter or dirt on the information arrangement surface, or fluctuations in photographing conditions. Since position detection based on another two-dimensional code can be performed, the position detection of the traveling body can be performed more reliably.

  In the present invention, the “model body” refers to an object given a certain shape that travels on the first traveling surface, and the “traveling body” refers to any object that travels on the second traveling surface.

  “Running” in the present invention refers to moving the position on the first or second traveling surface with the passage of time, and “running the model body following the traveling body” means that the model body is a predetermined body and the traveling body. It means to drive in a state where the positional relationship is maintained.

  The “two-dimensional code” in the present invention refers to a graphic code in which information including at least position information on the second traveling surface is recorded in a two-dimensional graphic pattern.

  In the present invention, “a two-dimensional code is included in an angle of view” means that at least an area of the entire area of the two-dimensional code that enables reading of position information recorded in the two-dimensional code is included. Say that is contained within.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  The present invention is applied to a game device in which a game progresses by a plurality of model bodies having arbitrary shapes traveling on a traveling surface. In the following embodiments, the present invention is applied to the game device. A case will be described in which the present invention is applied to a horse racing game apparatus in which a model body in the shape of a horse and jockey competes in order of arrival.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory perspective view showing an external configuration of a horse racing game apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in the figure, the horse racing game apparatus 1 includes a substantially cylindrical device main body 2 at the center of a housing in which a main control board 21 (see FIG. 7) described later is accommodated, and the periphery of the device main body 2. A plurality of satellites (game terminals) 70 that are arranged and electrically connected to the main control board 21 via a communication cable or the like are mainly configured.

  In FIG. 1, only the three satellites 70 in the foreground are shown for the sake of brevity. However, in the horse racing game apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, twelve satellites 70 are arranged around the apparatus main body 2. It is assumed that

  2A and 2B are a perspective view and a plane explanatory view showing the configuration of the apparatus main body 2.

  As shown in the figure, the apparatus main body 2 includes a cylindrical outer casing 3, and an upper surface plate 4 and a lower surface plate 7 that are accommodated inside the outer casing 3 and are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction. It has a two-story structure.

  The upper surface plate 4 is a plate-like member having a substantially circular shape, and the first running surface 4 s that is the upper surface of the upper surface plate 4 can be visually recognized by a player or the like located in the satellite 70. On the first running surface 4s, a track 5 is formed, which is a running path in which a plurality of model bodies 30 run in the race in order of arrival, and a plurality of fields for photographing the model body 30 running on the track 5 are formed. A camera 22, 22, a goal camera 23, a monitor device 24 that displays information such as images taken by the cameras 22, 23, race guidance, and the like are arranged. Further, in the present embodiment, in order to realistically reproduce the appearance of the racetrack, the artificial turf material processed with green powder, fibers, or the like is laid around the track 5 and its periphery.

  The track 5 is formed in a figure 8 shape as shown in FIG. Therefore, in the horse racing game apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, by changing a plurality of types of running courses indicated by the symbols SR, MR, and LR from the starting points S1 and S2 to the goal G according to the type of the race, It is possible to race on multiple types of running courses such as distance, medium distance, and long distance.

  Although not shown in FIG. 2, in the present embodiment, in order to enable the change in the number of model bodies 30 running on the track 5 in each race, the apparatus main body 2 is arranged on the outer periphery of the top plate 4. It is possible to provide an accommodating portion for accommodating the model body 30 at an appropriate location such as a portion.

  Furthermore, in order to reproduce a start scene similar to a real horse racing, the apparatus main body 2 is disposed at the start points S1 and S2 at the start of each race. It is possible to further include a start gate that is retracted and accommodated at the location. The starting gate in this case can have the same configuration as the starting gate disclosed in Patent Document 1.

  FIG. 3A is an explanatory view showing the lower surface plate 7 arranged at a position spaced apart from the upper surface plate 4 by a predetermined distance in plan view, and FIG. 3B is a two-dimensional view of the surface of the lower surface plate 7. It is explanatory drawing which shows the mode of the arrangement | sequence of the code | cord | chord C. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the lower surface plate 7 is a plate-like member having a circular shape like the upper surface plate 4, and the region corresponding to the track 5 of the second traveling surface 7s which is the upper surface thereof is as follows. In the race, a plurality of traveling bodies 40 travel along the road 8.

  The entire second traveling surface 7s or at least the surface of the traveling path 8 is an information arrangement surface on which a large number of two-dimensional codes C in which position coordinates on the global coordinates that are orthogonal coordinates fixed to the second traveling surface 7s are recorded are arranged. It is said that. In the present embodiment, a QR code (JIS-X-0510) is used as the two-dimensional code C.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), the QR code C is arranged in a matrix form with a certain interval in the Xg axis direction and the Yg axis direction of the global coordinates, and each QR code C is arranged on the QR code C. The Xqr axis and Yqr axis directions on the QR coordinates, which are orthogonal coordinates, are arranged at an angle that matches the Xg axis and Yg axis directions on the global coordinates.

  The QR code C is determined when the traveling body 40 is located on the traveling road 8 in consideration of the shooting angle of the camera device 46 mounted on the traveling body 40 and the distance from the camera device 46 to the second traveling surface 7s. However, the traveling body control board 61 (described later) is photographed by the camera device 46 because the field of view (imaging field of view) V of the camera device 46 is always arranged at a size and interval that includes one or more QR codes C as a whole. The position information recorded in the QR code C in the image and the position and angle of the QR code C on the camera coordinates (Xc, Yc), which is a coordinate system fixed to the image taken by the camera device 46 Based on the global coordinates, the position coordinates and angle (traveling direction) F of the reference point (for example, the center position of the axles of the center wheels 44a and 44b) R of the traveling body 40 are derived. In addition, in order to enable acquisition of position information from another QR code C when acquisition of position information from one QR code C in a photographed image fails, the QR code C is used as an angle of view of the camera device 46. It is preferable that V be arranged in a size and an interval that always include the entirety of two or more QR codes C.

  The QR code C is arranged by printing the QR code C on one surface of a transparent thin plate 9 (see FIG. 4) such as polycarbonate, and laying the transparent thin plate 9 on the lower surface plate 7 with the printed surface down. It is preferable that the QR code C can be prevented from being damaged by the traveling body 40 traveling.

  In the present embodiment, the information arrangement surface on which the QR code C is arranged is covered with the outer casing 3 and the upper surface plate 4 and has a structure that cannot be seen by a player seated on the satellite 70. Even if it is formed using visible ink, it does not affect the design and appearance of the device. Therefore, by forming the visible QR code C with visible ink or the like, the cost associated with printing or the like is reduced, maintenance such as inspection or repair of the QR code C is facilitated, and / or an infrared camera device. It is possible to use a camera device 46 that is less expensive than the case of using.

  Furthermore, the outer casing 3 and the upper surface plate 4 are made of a light-shielding member, so that lighting in a game hall where the horse racing game apparatus 1 is installed does not affect shooting by the camera apparatus 46. Therefore, it is possible to improve the reading stability of the position information recorded in the QR code C.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the model body 30 and the traveling body 40 arranged on the first traveling surface 4s and the second traveling surface 7s in a side view.

  As shown in the figure, the model body 30 includes a carriage 31 and a model portion 37 attached on the carriage 31 via a support column 36.

  The carriage 31 can travel on the first traveling surface 4 s by front and rear wheels 32, 33 and central wheels 34 a, 34 b that are pivotally supported on both sides of the carriage 31. Two rotating magnets 35a and 35b are attached with a slight gap from one traveling surface 4s.

  The rotating magnets 35a and 35b are magnetically coupled to rotating magnets 55a and 55b of the traveling body 40 described later, and follow the traveling body 40 traveling on the second traveling surface 7s (a predetermined positional relationship with the traveling body 40). The model body 30 is allowed to travel on the first traveling surface 4s.

  The rotating magnets 35a and 35b are rotatable around a vertical axis, and rotate in synchronization with the rotation of the rotating magnets 55a and 55b by the model control motors 56a and 56b. The rotation of the rotating magnets 35a and 35b is transmitted to the model portion 37 via the support column 36 and a gear mechanism (not shown).

  The model portion 37 is a model imitating a horse (racing horse) and a jockey. The legs of the horse and the limbs of the jockey are swingable around their joint axes, and the rotation of the rotating magnet 35a is supported by the support column 36. When the rotation is transmitted via the support pole 36, the jockey's limbs swing, and when the rotation of the rotating magnet 35b is transmitted via the support column 36, the front and rear legs of the horse swing.

  The traveling body 40 includes a carriage 41 and a support base 50.

  The carriage 41 is equipped with front and rear wheels 42 and 43, left and right central wheels 44a and 44b, and travel motors 45a and 45b that drive the central wheels 44a and 44b, respectively, and are controlled by a drive control board 66. The traveling motors 45a and 45b independently drive the left and right central wheels, respectively, so that the traveling body 40 travels on the second traveling surface 7s by itself (self-propelled) so that the traveling direction can be changed.

  The carriage 41 is further attached to a camera device 46 such as a CCD camera attached in such a manner that the second traveling surface 7 s is photographed vertically at the upper part of the cavity S having the lower surface opening O, and attached to both sides of the camera device 46. In addition, a white LED 47 that illuminates the angle of view V of the camera device 46 and a mechanical component such as an antenna 48 for performing communication with the device main body 2 by wireless LAN are provided.

  The support base 50 is attached to the upper side of the carriage 41 in a state where the upward biasing force by the spring 51 is received.

  Front and rear wheels 52 and 53 and left and right central wheels 54 a and 54 b are attached to the upper surface of the support base 50, and these wheels 52 to 54 abut against the lower surface of the upper surface plate 4 by the biasing force of the spring 51. Accordingly, the traveling body 40 is sandwiched between the lower wheels 42 to 44 and the upper wheels 52 to 54 and travels stably in the traveling space between the upper surface plate 4 and the lower surface plate 7 while maintaining an upright posture. Can do.

  The support base 50 further includes rotating magnets 55a and 55b, model control motors 56a and 56b, and a current collector 57.

  The rotating magnets 55a and 55b are respectively arranged at a slight distance from the upper surface plate 4 with an arrangement corresponding to the rotating magnets 35a and 35b of the model body 30, and driven by the model control motors 56a and 56b with the vertical axis as the center. It is designed to rotate. The rotating magnets 55a and 55b are magnetically coupled to the rotating magnets 35a and 35b, pull the model body 30 on the upper surface plate 4 by traveling of the traveling body 40, and rotate the rotating magnets 55a and 55b. The horse legs and jockey limbs in the model portion 37 are swung.

  While the traveling body 40 is traveling, the current collector 57 is in sliding contact with the power supply plate 6 attached to the lower surface of the upper surface plate 4 with an appropriate pressure contact force by the spring 51, and supplies electric power necessary for traveling control of the traveling body 40.

  The power supply plate 6 can be configured by, for example, alternately arranging a positive electrode and a negative electrode in a striped pattern with a predetermined distance therebetween, and the current collector 57 has eight arranged at the apex position of a regular octagon. A stable power supply to the traveling body 40 can be performed by, for example, a pin contact, and by always keeping two or more pin contacts in contact with both the positive and negative electrodes.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective explanatory view showing the configuration of each satellite 70.

  Each satellite 70 has the same configuration, and as shown in the figure, it is installed on the floor of a game arcade such as a game center and carries the player's legs and luggage seated on a chair (not shown). The main part is composed of a leg part 72 erected upward from the base member and a table part 74 supported on the upper end side of the leg part.

  The leg portion 72 is provided with a medal payout opening 73, and the table portion 74 displays an image such as a satellite screen SP and detects a touch operation by the player, A speaker 76 for outputting sounds for various effects such as fanfare and BGM, a medal slot 77 for inserting medals, a payout button 78 for paying out acquired medals, and the like are provided. Inside each satellite 70, a medal payout device 73a for paying out medals to the medal payout opening 73, a medal sensor 77a for detecting medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 77 and counting the number of medals, etc. The mechanical parts are housed.

  In each satellite 70, when the vote is won and the right to receive a dividend is generated, the acquired medal number is stored and managed as a credit medal number value, and the credit medal is used for betting. Is possible. When a medal is to be received, the payout button 78 can be pressed to pay out the medal corresponding to the credit medal number from the medal payout opening 73.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an exemplary aspect of the satellite screen SP displayed on the touch panel monitor 75.

  As shown in the figure, the satellite screen SP of the present embodiment is configured such that a bet screen BP for voting on the arrival order of the model bodies 30 in each race is always displayed on the right side of the display screen. On the left side of the display screen, an explanation screen GP, a pre-race newspaper screen FNP, a live situation screen BCP, a post-race newspaper screen ANP, etc. are displayed at predetermined timings.

  In the voting screen BP according to the present embodiment, a number button BA for designating the number of medals that can be betted for each operation, “single win”, “double win”, “horror”, “horse single”, “wide”, “three” A designation mode button BK for selecting a preferred designation mode from nine types of designation modes of “continuous”, “triple single”, “triple single light” and “heavy win”, and an instruction field BI for explaining a method of specifying the arrival order The bet button BB displaying the horse number, horse name, odds, etc. of the racehorse assigned to each model body 30 by the main control board 21, and the image image BS of the model body 30 corresponding to each bet button BB (in the model body 30) The image of the assigned racehorse and jockey) is displayed, and by operating the bet button BB with either the number button BA or the designation mode button BK selected, the number of the selected number is displayed. It is possible to perform the voting specifying the arrival order at a selected specified manner Dar consideration.

  Here, the “single win” designates the horse number of the racehorse (hereinafter simply referred to as “the first racehorse” or the like) assigned to the model body 30 that will be the first place. Designates the horse number of the racehorse that will be the first or second place. “Horseren” designates the horse number of the racehorse that falls within the second place as a set. The first and second racehorse horse numbers are designated according to the order of arrival. “Wide” designates any two horse numbers among the first to third racehorses. “Triple Duplex” specifies the horse number combination of the racehorse that will be the first to third place, and “Triple Single” and “Triple Single Light” are the horse number of the racehorse that will be first to third place. The designation is made according to the order of arrival, and “heavy win” designates the arrival order of the racehorses over a plurality of races.

  As described above, the designation order of the arrival order is the same in “triple single” and “triple single light”, but in this designation mode, the probability of winning a vote is low (for example, in the case of 10 heads standing) Is 1/720 on average), so from the player, for example, about 3 to 8 racehorses are designated, and all 3 of them will win if 1 to 3 In many cases, voting is desired in a box that specifies the order of combination. However, in the case of an 8-head box, voting that specifies 336 ways of arrival is required, and even if the consideration of each vote is one medal, medals are required, so many medals are required. Feel free to vote in a box. “Triple single light” is prepared in consideration of such a situation, and accepts voting in the designated form of “triple single” with 0.1 medal as the lowest unit of consideration. . Therefore, the number of medals is 33.6 in the case of voting for each 0.1 medals in the “Triple Single Light” box, but for the convenience of medal processing, etc. The above vote is accepted with 34 medals.

  The voting screen BP shown in FIG. 6 shows a state in which the designation mode of “single” is selected from the designation mode button BK. The voting method will be described as an example in this case as follows.

  In the initial state in which the “special horse” designation mode is selected from the designation mode button BK, “Please specify one horse” is displayed in the instruction column BI, and the player presses the appropriate number button BA. When you operate the bet button BB of the horse number that you think will be the first place, the instruction field BI will change to "Please specify the second horse", so the bet button of the horse number that you think will be the second place according to this Operate BB. As a result, the voting in the arrival order designated by the operation of the bet button BB is accepted according to the designation manner selected by the designation manner button BK, with the number of medals designated by the number button BA being paid.

  In other designated modes, it is possible to vote in the same manner according to the display in the instruction column BI.

  Voting can be repeated any number of times as long as the remaining time display BT becomes zero, and an arbitrary number of medals that specify a plurality of arrival orders in a plurality of designation modes for one race. It is possible to vote for consideration.

  In the present embodiment, the racehorse of the image image BS performs a predetermined operation every time the bet button BB is operated in order to stimulate the player's interest in voting.

  Specifically, when the bet button BB is pressed and the bet is placed, an image of the racehorse of the corresponding image image BS starts to be displayed is displayed. When the bet is further begun, the horse starts to run in stages. As the jockey makes a guts pose, an image of the horse and jockey shining is displayed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the horse legs and jockey limbs are moved in the model portion 37 of the corresponding model body 30 arranged at the start point S1 or S2 in conjunction with the operation of the horse or jockey in the image image BS as described above. Oscillating motion is performed. In this way, since an unprecedented visual reaction occurs with respect to the betting action, it is possible to visually increase the player's interest in voting.

  The explanation screen GP displays an explanation about each designation mode in response to selection of the designation mode button BK. The player can understand the arrival order designation method and the payout characteristics in each designation mode from the explanation screen GP.

  The pre-race newspaper screen FNP is a screen displayed at a timing before the start of each race. In other words, this pre-race newspaper screen FNP provides the player with information useful for predicting the arrival order, such as which of the multiple racehorses that run before each race starts, and assists the player in predicting the arrival order. It can be performed.

  The post-race newspaper screen ANP is a screen displayed at the timing after the end of each race. That is, the post-race newspaper screen ANP provides the player with result information such as how the racehorse that won after the end of each race has won.

  From the information displayed in the pre-race newspaper FNP and the post-race newspaper ANP as described above, the player can learn the name of each racehorse, its results and characteristics, and even beginners can digest the race. In the meantime, it is possible to predict the arrival order more accurately.

  In the pre-race newspaper FNP and the post-race newspaper ANP, it is possible to automatically generate sentences suitable for each race, or automatically select images suitable for each race and display different article contents each time. is there.

  The live screen BCP is a screen that is displayed during the execution of each race, and displays a composite image obtained by combining an image photographed by the field camera 22 or the goal camera 23 with an image prepared in advance as a live image. . On this live screen BCP, for example, a composite image such as a coin mark is displayed so that the player can visually recognize which model body 30 the player has voted for or which model body 30 is popular. Can do. Further, it is possible to further increase the player by displaying information such as the distance to the goal, and a support comment for the racehorse voted by the player.

  Returning to FIG. 1, four support members 10 are erected on the side of the apparatus main body 2, and a ring-shaped ceiling member 11 is attached to the upper end thereof. The column member 10 and the ceiling member 11 emit a ceiling camera 25 that captures a bird's-eye view of the track 5 from above, a speaker 26 that outputs sound for various effects such as live broadcasting, fanfare, and BGM, and light emission for various effects. An illumination device 27 and the like are provided.

  In the present embodiment, the track 5 formed on the upper surface plate 4 is disposed below the table portion 74 so that the player sitting on the satellite 70 can look down, and each satellite 70 has The seated player can watch the race with the same feeling as looking down on the track from the gondola seat of an actual racetrack.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of hardware of the horse racing game apparatus 1.

  As shown in the figure, in the horse racing game apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the apparatus main body 2 includes the main control board 21, each traveling body 40 includes the traveling body control board 61, and each satellite 70 includes the satellite control board 71. The main control board 21 can transmit and receive data to and from each traveling body control board 61 and each satellite control board 71 by a wiring cable, a wireless LAN line, or the like. The main control board 21, the traveling body control board 61, and the satellite control board 71 are information processing apparatuses each including a recording device such as a CPU, ROM, RAM, and hard disk.

  The main control board 21 is connected to a field camera 22, a goal camera 23, a monitor device 24, a ceiling camera 25, a speaker 26, a lighting device 27, a communication device 28, a wireless LAN device 29, and the like. In addition to controlling the driving of these devices in accordance with the progress of the race, the driving data is generated and the odds are determined for each traveling body 40 based on the horse data recorded in the recording device. The progress of the horse racing game is controlled by performing processing such as determining the arrival order based on the position data of the traveling body 40 transmitted from the board 61.

  Here, the horse data is composed of data such as names of a plurality of racehorses (horse names) and running ability values that are parameters relating to the strength of the race. The name of the horse may be the same as the actual racehorse, but in this embodiment, each racehorse is original so that players who are not familiar with real racehorses can enjoy the game. The (fictional) horse name is used. The running ability value may be a fixed value for each racehorse regardless of the race, or the running ability value may be determined according to the length of the running course, the weather set for each race, the suitability for the race conditions, etc. By increasing or decreasing, it is possible to increase the diversity of race development for each race. In addition, in order to allow a player who frequently plays with the horse racing game apparatus 1 to make a more appropriate prediction, the running ability value can be increased or decreased according to the past battle record.

  In the horse data, data on the same number of racehorses as the number of model bodies 30 (for example, 6 to 12) arranged on the track 5 may be recorded, but a larger number (for example, 100 heads) than that. If data about racehorses is recorded, race diversity can be increased by running different racehorses for each race (assigned to the model body 30).

  In addition, the main control board 21 assigns any racehorse recorded as horse data to each model body 30 arranged on the track 5, and diversifies the running ability value and race development for the assigned racehorse. Traveling data is generated according to an appropriate algorithm using a random number or the like. This running data can specify the position coordinates of each running body 40 on the running path 8 with respect to the elapsed time from the start of the race to the goal.

  The odds are that the expected value of the number of medals to be paid out as a dividend when voting for a single medal is the payout rate PO (refund rate. (The value divided by the number of medals)) and the main control board 21 sets each designation based on the running ability value of the racehorse assigned to each model body 30. Odds D are calculated for all arrival orders in the embodiment.

The odds D in the present embodiment is that the racehorses running in the race are n heads of horse numbers 1 to n, the running ability values of the respective racehorses are A1 to An, and all the running ability values A1 to An. If the total is AS, for example, the odds D1 of the racehorse of the horse number 1 in the “winning” is derived according to the following equation (1), and the odds D12 of the racehorses of the horse number 1 and the horse number 2 in the “horse” are: It is derived according to equation (2).
D1 = AS × PO / A1 (1)
D12 = {1 / (A1 / AS) × (A2 / (AS−A1))
+ (A2 / AS) × (A1 / SA-A2))} (2)

  The order of arrival of the model bodies 30 is based on the position coordinates of each traveling body 40 transmitted from each traveling body 40 on the second traveling surface 7s every moment before and after the time when each model body 30 arrives at the goal G. Is determined. Here, the order of arrival is not determined based on the travel data, but is determined based on the travel position data of the actual traveling body 40. The order of arrival is different from the travel data for some reason. This is for avoiding troubles and the like when each model body 30 finishes.

  The satellite control board 71 is connected with a medal payout device 73a, a touch panel monitor 75, a speaker 76, a medal sensor 77a, a payout button 78, a communication device 79, and the like. The satellite control board 71 is an image on the touch panel monitor 75. Display and detection of touch input by the player, audio output from the speaker 76, counting processing of the medal inserted in the medal slot 77 by the medal sensor 77a, medal payout and medal payout based on the operation of the payout button 78 Processing such as control of the dispensing device 73a is executed.

  More specifically, the satellite control board 71 touches the horse name and odds of the racehorse assigned to each model body 30 by the main control board 21 for each race based on the data transmitted from the main control board 21. Displayed on the expression monitor 75, detecting the player's operation on the bet screen BP, and receiving the vote, and the arrival order data transmitted from the main control board 21 after the end of each race is designated in the vote The number of medals calculated by multiplying odds D by the number of medals considered in the vote that was won is determined. Processing such as paying out from the medal payout port 73 as a payout or incrementing the credit medal count value is executed.

  An imaging control board 62, an LED control board 63, an image processing board (FPGA) 64, an image memory 65, a drive control board 66, a model control board 67, a wireless LAN device 68, and the like are connected to each traveling body control board 61. Yes.

  The photographing control board 62 controls the photographing operation by the camera device 46. In this embodiment, the camera device 46 controls the information at a frequency of about 2 to 200 times per second by the control of the photographing control board 62. The QR code C on the second traveling surface 7s as the arrangement surface is photographed at high speed.

  The LED control board 63 controls the lighting of the white LED 47 and executes a process of irradiating the information arrangement surface with illumination light necessary for photographing by the camera device 46.

  The image processing board 64 scans each image photographed by the camera device 46 to execute a process of extracting markers arranged at the three vertices of each QR code C included in each image. Processing for decoding the QR code C in the captured image extracted by the control board 61 is executed.

  The image memory 65 temporarily records an image taken by the camera device 46.

  The drive control board 66 and the model control board 67 perform drive control of the running motors 45a and 45b and the model control motors 56a and 56b, respectively, in accordance with signals from the running body control board 61.

  The traveling body control board 61 performs a process of extracting the QR code C from the marker extracted by the image processing board 64, the position coordinates on the global coordinates acquired from the QR code C, and the camera coordinates of the QR code. Based on the position and angle above, the position coordinate and the angle F of the reference point R of the traveling body 40 on the global coordinate are specified, and the travel data received from the main control board using the position coordinate and the angle F. Then, drive control of the travel motors 45a and 45b by the drive control board 66 is executed so that the travel body 40 travels on an accurate travel course according to the above.

  The wireless LAN device 68 receives the traveling data generated in the main control board 21 at a predetermined timing before each race is executed, and the global coordinates of the reference point R of the traveling body 40 derived by the traveling body control board 61 during the race. Processing such as transmitting the position coordinates above or the position coordinates and the angle F to the main control board 21 is executed.

  Hereinafter, the position detection process of the traveling body 40 based on the QR code C on the information arrangement surface executed in each traveling body 40 will be described.

  FIG. 8A is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged code pattern of the QR code C used in the present embodiment.

  The QR code C according to the present embodiment is a square having a side of about 7 mm in which modules U, which are information recording units of a predetermined size (for example, 0.333 mm square) determined by black and white binary values, are arranged in 21 × 21 vertical and horizontal directions. This is a figure pattern having areas. Markers M (M1 to M3) for position detection are arranged at the three corners, and areas other than the markers M are coding areas R for recording position information.

  Here, each marker M is composed of a black portion Ma of the central 3 × 3 module, a white portion Mb of the outer 5 × 5 module, and a black portion Mc of the outer 7 × 7 module. If the image in which the QR code C is photographed is scanned according to a straight line passing through the center of the marker M, 1: 1: 3: regardless of the angle at which the QR code C is arranged in the image. Black, white, black, white and black patterns are detected at a length ratio of 1: 1.

  In the present embodiment, the marker M is easily detected based on the geometric feature of the QR code C, so that the QR code C is extracted from the image and the position of the traveling body 40 is detected.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a flow of position detection processing executed in each traveling body 40.

  As shown in the drawing, the position detection process in the present embodiment is started by photographing the information arrangement plane by the camera device 46 (step S1). This process is repeatedly executed, for example, at a frequency of 120 times per second under the control of the imaging control board 62.

  In step S2, a median filter (Median Filter / one of noise removal methods in image processing) is performed on the captured image in step S1. Sorting a certain coordinate and its surrounding pixels and taking the median value eliminates noise. After the noise removal is performed, the image processing board 64 scans the captured image in a predetermined direction (for example, the Xc direction in the camera coordinates), and has a length of 1: 1: 3: 1: 1. Each time a black, white, black, white, or black pattern is detected, the pattern is picked up as a marker candidate, and the center position of the pattern and the length of the pattern (pixels) for each picked-up marker candidate One module length, which is a value obtained by 1/7 of (number), is recorded. Note that in step S2 in the present embodiment, the number of marker candidate pickups is within a predetermined upper limit number (for example, 64) in order to avoid an increase in processing load when erroneous recognition of marker candidates occurs frequently. It is supposed to be done in.

  In the process of step S2, the image processing board 64 executes a process of deriving a threshold value for binarizing the captured image, and a process of transferring the captured image to the image memory 65 in parallel with the process of step S2. Is executed. The derivation of the threshold value may be performed every time step S2 is executed. For example, the threshold value derived in step S2 executed first after the apparatus is started is used as a fixed value, and the subsequent steps are performed. The threshold value derivation process in S2 can be omitted.

  In the subsequent step S3, the correction process and the thinning-out process of the center position of the marker candidate picked up in step S2 are performed based on the fact that the black portion Ma of each marker M is a square area painted with “black”. Performed by the substrate 61.

  Specifically, for the image data transferred to the image memory 65, the vertical and horizontal directions (+ Xc direction, -Xc direction, + Yc direction and -Yc in camera coordinates) of the center position of the marker candidate picked up by the image processing board 64 By detecting the pixel in the (direction), the boundary where the “black” pixel is switched to the “white” pixel is detected, and the center position of the marker candidate is corrected to the center point of the detected vertical and horizontal boundaries. To do. Further, when the distance between the upper and lower borders and the distance between the left and right borders are greatly different, it is considered that the black portion Ma does not exist. Therefore, if the ratio between the two is outside the predetermined range, the marker candidate is deleted. (Thinned out). The center position is corrected as described above, and a predetermined ID number is assigned to the thinned marker candidates in order from the center of the image.

  In the subsequent step S4, the distance between the three markers M belonging to a single QR code C is a specified value (the distance between two adjacent markers (between M1-M2 and M1-M3) is 14 modules, Based on the fact that the distance between the diagonal markers (between M2 and M3) is √2 times), the three markers considered to belong to a single QR code C from the marker candidates extracted in step S3 A process of extracting candidates (marker sets) is executed.

  FIG. 9B is an explanatory diagram showing details of the processing in step S4.

  In this process, first, the center-to-center distance (number of pixels) between each marker candidate extracted in step S3 is calculated, and the calculated center-to-center distance is in the form of a two-dimensional array using the marker candidate ID as a key. It is recorded (step S11). Accordingly, the inter-marker distances for all combinations of two marker candidates selected from each marker candidate extracted in step S3 are recorded. In this two-dimensional array, a flag indicating whether each center distance is valid / invalid is recorded together with the distance between each center, and the distance between the centers where the invalid flag is recorded is determined in steps S12 and S13. By excluding it from the target, it is possible to reduce the processing load and the processing time.

  In addition to the case in step S13, which will be described later, the invalid flag is used for two marker candidates for which the distance between the centers is calculated when the difference from the marker distance in the QR code C detected from the previously captured image is larger than a certain value. It can be recorded when the difference in the recorded one module length is larger than a certain value.

  In the subsequent step S12, the distance between the centers of the two markers M belonging to the single QR code C is 14 modules, so that the distance between the centers calculated in step S11 is approximately 14 modules. More specifically, the value obtained by dividing the distance between the centers by the one module length recorded for the marker candidate with the younger ID number of the two marker candidates for which the distance between the centers is calculated is “14”. The two marker candidates are extracted as marker pairs (first and second marker candidates) on the condition that they are within a predetermined error range.

  In the following step S13, the distance between the centers of the marker pairs extracted in step S12 is set to L, and the ratio (L1 / L) between the distance L1 from one of the marker candidates of the marker pair and the above L is “1”. Marker candidates that are within a predetermined error range and whose ratio (L2 / L) between the distance L2 from the other marker candidate of the marker pair and the above L (L2 / L) is within a predetermined error range from “√2” are marker sets. Is extracted as a third marker candidate.

  In the process of step S13, in addition to the above conditions, the area around QR code C (Quiet Zone / 2-dimensional code) when the area of QR code C is specified by the extracted three marker candidates. The third marker candidate is extracted in consideration of other conditions such as the pixel density of "black" in the blank area around the two-dimensional code necessary to read the image (also called margin). It is possible to do that.

  In subsequent step S14, in order to avoid duplication processing in steps S12 and S13 when the processing is returned from step S8 described later to step S4, three markers constituting the marker set specified in steps S12 and S13 are used. A process of recording an invalid flag at the center-to-center distance between the candidate and all other marker candidates is executed.

  Returning to FIG. 9A, in step S5, it is determined whether or not the marker set has been successfully extracted in step S4. If the extraction fails, the QR code C is extracted from the image. The process ends when it is not possible to specify.

  On the other hand, when the marker set is detected, the process proceeds to step S6, where the position and angle of the QR code C on the camera coordinates are specified based on the detected center position of each marker candidate, and in step S7. The image processing board 64 executes a process of acquiring the coordinate data recorded in the QR code C by executing the decoding of the QR code C. In step S7, the QR code C is decoded by the pixel value at the center position of the 21 × 21 module U in the QR code C to simplify the process.

  In step S8, the success / failure determination of decoding in step S7 is executed. If unsuccessful, the process proceeds to step S4 in order to extract a marker set belonging to another QR code C in the image photographed in step S1. Returned.

  On the other hand, when the decoding success is determined in step S8, the process proceeds to step S9, where the position and angle on the camera coordinates of the QR code C specified in step S6, and the coordinates acquired in step S7. Based on the data, the reference point R and the angle F of the traveling body are derived by performing coordinate conversion shown below.

  FIG. 8B is an explanatory diagram illustrating an exemplary image of the information arrangement plane photographed by the camera device 46 in step S1.

Assuming that the three markers M of the QR code C1 shown in FIG. 8B are extracted as a marker set in step S4, QR coordinates (Xqr, Yqr) are derived from the positional relationship of the three markers M. Therefore, if the camera coordinates are taken as (Xc, Yc) in the figure, the vector Vc from the origin of the QR coordinates to the reference point R of the traveling body 40 is the position Qc of the origin of the QR coordinates in the camera coordinates and the known Using the position Pc of the reference point R of the traveling body 40 in the camera coordinates, it can be expressed as the following expression (3).
Vc = Pc-Qc (3)

If the angle of the QR code C1 in the camera coordinates is θc, the coordinate value (Pqx, Pqy) of the reference point R of the traveling body 40 in the QR coordinate system rotates the vector Vc by −θc according to the following equation (4). Can be obtained.
Pqx = Vcx × cos θc−Vcy × sin θc
Pqy = Vcx × sin θc + Vcy × cos θc (4)

Therefore, if the coordinate value acquired by decoding the QR code C1 in step S7 is (Gx, Gy), the coordinate value (Pgx, Pgy) of the reference point R of the traveling body 40 in the global coordinate system is The angle θg indicating the traveling direction of the traveling body in the global coordinate system can be obtained by the following equation (6).
Pgx = Pqx + Gx
Pgy = Pqy + Gy (5)
θg = −θc (6)

  The present invention has been described based on the exemplary embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the claims. is there.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a horse racing game apparatus in which a plurality of model bodies given the shape of a horse run in order of arrival has been described as an example. A game is caused by a plurality of model bodies having an arbitrary shape traveling on the first traveling surface in an arbitrary manner, such as a soccer game device in which a plurality of model bodies given a vehicle run on a field following a ball. The present invention can be applied to a game device that progresses.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the two-dimensional code is arranged in a matrix along the XY axes of the orthogonal coordinates (global coordinates) fixed to the second traveling surface has been described. As long as one or more two-dimensional codes are always included in the angle of view of the photographing means provided in the upper traveling body, it can be arranged in any regular arrangement or non-regular arrangement.

  Similarly, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the position coordinate of the reference point R of the traveling body is derived by coordinate conversion using the orthogonal coordinates fixed on the second traveling surface or the captured image has been described. The type of system, the calculation method for derivation of the reference point, the method of obtaining the reference point in the traveling body, etc. are arbitrary.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the two-dimensional code is arranged on the second traveling surface has been described. However, the two-dimensional code in the present invention is a surface extending in a direction parallel to the second traveling surface. It is possible to arrange on an arbitrary surface (information arrangement surface) that can be imaged from the imaging means. For example, the lower surface plate is formed of a transparent plate member, and below the transparent lower surface plate. The two-dimensional code can be arranged at a part different from the above-described embodiment in the game device, such as arranging the two-dimensional code on the installed surface.

  In the above embodiment, the game apparatus in which 12 satellites are arranged around the apparatus main body has been described as an example. However, the game apparatus of the present invention may include 13 or more or 11 or less satellites. Is possible.

  In addition, the apparatus configuration and functional configuration, specific processing contents, procedures, and the like in the above-described embodiments are described merely as examples, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. The perspective view and plane explanatory drawing which show the structure of an apparatus main body part. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows the lower surface board 7 accommodated in an apparatus main body part by planar view. (B) is explanatory drawing which shows the mode of the arrangement | sequence of the two-dimensional code C in the surface of a lower surface board. Explanatory drawing which shows the structure of a self-propelled body and a traveling body. Explanatory drawing which shows the structure of a satellite. Explanatory drawing which shows a satellite screen. Explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the hardware of a horse racing game apparatus. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows the exemplary form of QR code. (B) is explanatory drawing which shows the image of the exemplary information arrangement surface image | photographed with the camera apparatus. The flowchart which shows the flow of the position detection process performed in one Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Horse racing game device, 2 ... Apparatus main-body part, 3 ... Outer housing | casing, 4 ... Top plate, 4s ... Running surface, 5 ... Truck, 6 ... Power feeding plate 7 ... lower surface plate, 7s ... running surface, 8 ... runway, 9 ... transparent thin plate, 10 ... support member, 11 ... ceiling member, 21 ... main control board, 22 ... Field camera, 23 ... Goal camera, 24 ... Monitor device, 25 ... Ceiling camera, 26 ... Speaker, 27 ... Lighting device, 28 ... Communication device, 29. ..Wireless LAN device, 30 ... model body, 31 ... cart, 32 ... front wheel, 33 ... rear wheel, 34a, 34b ... center wheel, 35a, 35b ... rotary magnet, 36 ... supporting pillar, 37 ... model part, 40 ... traveling body, 41 ... truck, 42 ... front wheel, 43 ... rear wheel 44a, 44b ... center wheel, 45a, 45b ... travel motor, 46 ... camera device, 47 ... white LED, 48 ... antenna, 50 ... support base, 51 ... spring 52 ... Front wheel, 53 ... Rear wheel, 54a, 54b ... Central wheel, 55a, 55b ... Rotating magnet, 56a, 56b ... Model control motor, 57 ... Current collector, 61 ... running body control board, 62 ... photographing control board, 63 ... LED control board, 64 ... image processing board, 65 ... image memory, 66 ... drive control board, 67 ... Model control board 68 ... Wireless LAN device 70 ... Satellite 71 ... Satellite control board 72 ... Leg part 73 ... Medal payout port 73a ... Medal payout device 74 ... Table part, 75 ... Touch pad Monitor, 76 ... speaker, 77 ... medal slot, 77a ... medal sensor, 78 ... payout button, 79 ... communication device, C ... QR code, M (M1- M3) ... Marker

Claims (5)

A first running surface;
A second traveling surface located below the first traveling surface;
A plurality of traveling bodies that travel on the traveling road in the second traveling surface, each of which includes an imaging unit for capturing an image;
And a plurality of model bodies that follow the respective traveling bodies and travel on the first traveling surface, and the game progresses when the plurality of model bodies travel on the first traveling surface. And
A plurality of two-dimensional codes for recording positional information in the second traveling surface, extending in a direction parallel to the second traveling surface, and disposed in an information arrangement surface capable of photographing from the photographing means Two-dimensional code,
Position detecting means for detecting the position of the traveling body based on the position information recorded in the two-dimensional code photographed by the photographing means;
The two-dimensional code is always arranged with a size and an arrangement in which one or more of the two-dimensional codes are included within the angle of view of the photographing unit, regardless of the position of the traveling body on the road. A game device. The position detecting means includes
The position of the traveling body is detected based on the position and angle of the two-dimensional code in the photographed image photographed by the photographing means and the position information recorded in the two-dimensional code. The game device according to claim 1. Each of the traveling bodies
The position detecting means;
The game apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a drive control unit that controls the traveling of the traveling body based on the position of the traveling body detected by the position detecting unit.   The game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the traveling body further includes illumination means for illuminating an angle of view of the photographing means. The two-dimensional code is arranged on the information arrangement plane with a size and an arrangement in which two or more two-dimensional codes are always included within the angle of view of the photographing means, regardless of the position of the traveling body on the running road. And
The position detecting means includes
The position of the traveling body based on the other two-dimensional code in the photographed image when the position detection of the traveling body based on the two-dimensional code in the photographed image photographed by the photographing means fails. Detection is performed, The game device as described in any one of Claims 1-4 characterized by the above-mentioned.

Images